News & Press Releases 2012

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that Colorado has joined a $25 billion multistate settlement with the five largest national banks, Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citi and Ally, who account for 60 percent of the home loan servicing market, to end problematic business practices and to help distressed homeowners. The settlement — the second largest multistate consumer protection settlement — will deliver $204.6 million worth of relief for Colorado homeowners.

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that a Pueblo County District Court judge has sentenced Thomas K. Tienda to a four-year community corrections term after his demolition of a Pueblo house led to the airborne release of asbestos. He also is expected to pay more than $300,000 in restitution. A Pueblo jury convicted Tienda of eight felonies in October.

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that his office has secured an indictment for 14 individuals suspected of running, abetting and patronizing a human-trafficking ring that trafficked children for sex at locations ranging from Denver to Grand Junction.

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that a Larimer County District Court judge has sentenced Gabriel Farias-Chavez (DOB: 3/15/1983) to 16 years in prison for his role in trafficking up to 50 pounds worth of methamphetamine per month into the Denver metro area and other parts of the state between March 1, 2010 and July 15, 2010. A Larimer County District Court judge previously sentenced Ramon Chavez (DOB: 3/5/1980), the other ringleader, to 24 years in prison.

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that a Larimer County jury has convicted Phillip R. Trujillo (DOB: 7/21/1949) of Loveland of six felonies for his role in a running $5.7 million investment-fraud scheme.

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that a judge has sentenced Myrl Serra, the former District Attorney for the 7th Judicial District of Colorado, to one year in prison followed by 60 days in the Montrose County Jail followed by four years probation following his guilty plea in October 2011 to criminal extortion, a class-four felony, and unlawful sexual contact, a class-one misdemeanor, and his August 2011 convi

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that prosecutors for the state have obtained an indictment for William Paul Buckley (DOB: 5/10/1984) of Denver for his role in stealing vehicles and money from consumers that he contacted through his Englewood-based business, The Lease Brokers.

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that his office has filed an administrative action against Prestige Financial Solutions, a Westminster-based business, and its principal, Amy Thompson of Westminster, alleging that it engaged in fraudulent debt management practices.

DENVER — Colorado Attorney General John Suthers announced today that his office has filed a counterclaim lawsuit against Orion Financial Group, a Westminster based firm, and its owner, Eric Thompson, on the grounds that they provided debt-management services to Colorado consumers without meeting the registration and reporting requirements of Colorado consumer protection laws.

DENVER – Denver Health and Hospital Authority, doing business as Denver Heath Medical Center, will pay the United States and the State of Colorado $6.3 million to settle allegations that it overbilled Medicare and Medicaid by misclassifying patients for hospital admissions.